Seven of 10 Colorado citizens think it likely that there will be terrorism in the United States in the next few months, but only one in five thinks it will happen in Colorado, according to a university survey that annually takes the pulse of the state’s citizenry.

Results of the eighth annual Mind of Colorado survey released Wednesday offer a window on how Coloradans are responding to terrorism and other key issues.

The April telephone survey was conducted by the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research program at the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver. More than 700 registered voters statewide were polled. The survey had a sampling error of plus or minus 3.8 percent. Coloradans were asked their feelings on issues ranging from the economy to quality of life and government performance. But this year’s poll focused primarily on how the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have changed opinions and daily living in Colorado.

‘I’m concerned 80 percent don’t think terrorism will happen in Colorado,’ said U.S. Attorney John Suthers, who sat on a panel at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce to discuss the findings. ‘Terrorist organizations believe they will have a greater impact on the American psyche if the next major incident is in the heartland. And Colorado is target-rich,’ he said.

More than 40 percent say they ‘changed their views regarding

dwhat is important in life’ and ‘increased the amount of time spent with family or relatives’ as a result of Sept. 11, the survey said. About one-third reported increasing their level of contributions to community organizations or charities as a result of Sept. 11.

Colorado citizens are sensitive to the balance between the need for increased security and civil liberties. Most favor tighter security even if it means giving up some freedoms – including 47 percent who support detention of suspects without charges.

‘That’s why the Constitution rather than public opinion is the foundation of our country,’ Suthers said.

Suthers noted that Coloradans are reluctantly accepting racial profiling of Middle Easterners. Sixty-four percent say profiling is understandable but wish it wouldn’t happen.

While respondents favor additional security measures in public, they oppose requiring a national identity card or making it easier for law enforcement to get personal records.

‘Most citizens seem to be wrestling with the dilemma forced on us by Sept. 11,’ said Marshall Kaplan, director of the Institute for Public Policy at UCD. ‘They want more security but place boundaries on how much power we should give law enforcement.’

The biggest boost in confidence since last year’s poll is in the military, reflecting the public support following Sept. 11. But there is a decided lack of confidence in business, likely resulting from the Enron scandal and the recession, said survey director Peggy Cuciti. Trust in religious institutions eroded – likely attributable to recent disclosures by the Catholic Church, she said.

Yet nine of 10 say religious and spiritual values are important in their lives – an increase over past years. In other findings:

62 percent judged President George Bush’s performance favorably. Just under half (47 percent) give a positive rating to Gov. Bill Owens. 53 percent rate economic conditions as excellent or good – down from 67 percent last year. Still, 58 percent expect the state’s economy to get stronger in the next year.

Respondents were almost equally divided on whether immigration has had a positive effect on the state and also were divided on whether illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty or be made to leave.

When it comes to teaching non-English-speaking students, 66 percent favor immersion over bilingual education.

Health insurance coverage is a major concern for 80 percent. Results of the survey are available at www.centers.cudenver.edu/projects.htm.



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